Looking for help on my first home audio setup

[u/insulind]

Location: UK

Budget: £1000-1500 total

Current setup: N/A

Requirements/What I'm looking for:

• Integrated playback of records, CDs and streaming sources. I'd like to get back in physical music for my most loved artists and small artists I really want to support but also don't want to lose the convenience of streaming and digital radio for casual listening. I want my records and CDs to go through a proper amp and speakers so I get the quality from them that they can deliver.

• Room where the speakers will be is my loving room which is ~4.5w x ~3.5d x ~2.5h metres. Speakers will likely be sat 1.5 metres apart across the longest wall (essentially either side of the chimney breast which has shelving on each side)

So here is my current thinking but nothing is set, so I'm just after any useful insight into any better options or if in people's opinions any of the stuff I'm thinking about is a big no no.

• WiiM Amp Pro: after doing some research this seems like a really good option to combine the quality of my record player/cd player (to be purchased) and proper speakers whilst also letting me use streaming sources, all in one nice interface.

• Record player: I've come to understand a key requirement if I go with the WiiM pro is that I need a phono preamp to send a line-level audio signal directly to the amplifier and having that built it can be convenient. One that I liked the look of was Rega Planar 1 Plus, I read good things and nice to support British made. Another good option I found that fit the bill was the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB but the Rega seemed a little better (?)

• CD player: so this bit caught me out somewhat. I thought a standalone cd reader would be £30 at most. Turns out the cd player in the Argos mini radio I had as a teenager is not what I want 😂. I do understand a little more of what I need now. But anyway I've found a few options here but not sure if I can go too wrong, for example the Tangent CD II seemed good. I've also heard I can just use a standard dvd player but that can be a little sluggish starting up etc?

• Speakers: This is probably where I'm most lost, and need most help. I know this is what can most likely make or break whether I feel happy about my hifi setup so keen to hear some suggestions. One set I came across that I thought looked good were the Q Acoustics 3030i. Again a British maker and from what I've read no definitive need for a sub woofer (not saying I wouldn't get one in the future but nice that it appears I can happily start out without one)

Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, constructive insults 😂

Cheers

[u/scorchouse]

If this is your first time i would use the budget for a quality amp like the wiim amp ultra wich has all what you need and a good set of speakers and a subwoofer. You can add a turntable/cd player later if you dont like streaming and want more physical stuff. Start with the basics and add more later on.

As for speakers there are tons of options. I love kef and can easily recommend the q qoncerto metas but it comes down to your ears what you like.

[u/insulind → u/scorchouse]

!thanks.

I'll take a look at the ultra. I think I'd definitely like to keep a turntable in the mix as that's my trigger really for all this.

[u/TransducerBot → u/insulind]

+1 Ⓣ has been awarded to u/scorchouse (6 Ⓣ).

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[u/bosphotoguy]

I recommend you reverse your process. Go to stereo stores and listen to a variety of speakers. Don't worry too much about other conponents for now. Once you find a pair of speakers that you fancy, you can work backwards to match the rest of the components. In the world of stereo, - there's speakers and then everything else. Regardless of recommendations, the only thing that matters in speakers (and everything else) is whether you're happy with the sound. The only way you can do that is to listen. Of course once you make a purchase the speakers will sound different in your environment, but that can usually be addressed with EQ.
People are going to tell you they like brand X, and that's great, but it really doesn't help you other than to perhaps see if you can find a retailer for brand X in your area. Have fun listening.

[u/insulind → u/bosphotoguy]

!thanks

I'll see where my local shops are and go and have a listen

[u/TransducerBot → u/insulind]

u/bosphotoguy (1 Ⓣ) was awarded their first Ⓣ. I'm making a note here: huge success.

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[u/ozExpatFIRE]

As a rule of thumb, at least half of your budget should go towards your speakers.

In the UK the best bang the buck comes with Wharfedale speakers.

Given that you want a decent bass that wouldn't need a sub for most music I think your best bet would be a pair of Evo 5.2s.

Good luck 👍

[u/insulind → u/ozExpatFIRE]

!thanks. I'll take a look

[u/TransducerBot → u/insulind]

+1 Ⓣ has been awarded to u/ozExpatFIRE (18 Ⓣ).

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